Front Drag Reels
 

I have just returned from the local Bass Pro Shop where Derek Whited is
the manager of the fishing tackle section and is a friend of mine. We
looked at new spools for front drag reels made by Daiwa, Shimano, BPS,
Pflueger, Quantum, and Penn. We could find none that did not include the
complete drag. The drag on this type reel is made up of a series of
washers that are compressed when the drag knob is tightened. While it is
true you can go to a parts house such as Southwestern Parts in Dallas
and probably buy a spool without the washers in place, I doubt you will
find a retail tackle outlet that will have them in stock. The front type
drag can be removed from the spool proper by removing the drag washer
retaining ring. You can then replace the old washers with new ones.

A rear drag reel also uses a series of drag that encircle the drive
shaft of the reel and are compressed by a drag knob on the rear of the
reel housing. To replace them requires the reel to be completely
disassembled which is no easy matter on some reels as you will see if
you ever rebuild a rear drag.

I don't want to get in a ****ing contest with you over this but you
asked for opinions and I gave you mine, which may not be worth much to
you.